1. Modal verbs have various functions, some essential ones of which are listed below.Reading the sample sentences, classify the underlined modals according to their functions:

No / Functions / Sentences
1 / possibility
2 / certainty
3 / deduction
4 / obligation
5 / permission
6 / necessity
7 / lack of obligation
8 / Advice
9 / expectation
10 / preference
11 / requests
12 / offers & invitations
13 / habitual past actions
14 / Ability
15 / typical behaviour
  1. You should bring some warm clothing. It may snow while we're up there.
  2. You had better not turn down his proposal.
  3. Harry would do a thing like that! I've known him for years.
  4. Ben has studied enough, so he should pass the advanced driving test tomorrow.
  5. Could you tell me the time?
  6. I would rather lick an ashtray than kiss a smoker.
  7. You mustn't forget to post the letters or the boss will surely go crazy.
  8. I needn't get the drinks ready because we might not have the party tomorrow.
  9. No one but Tom was able to swim across the lake.
  10. What's that noise? Could it be a cat on the roof?
  11. My brother could play the violin with expert skill when he was a child.
  12. Will you please try not to raise your voice? The baby is asleep.
  13. She must be out of the town at the moment. No one has seen her nowadays.
  14. Would you like to spend the night in my flat?
  15. You must watch every step of yours while crossing a mine field.
  16. We don't need to be told what's to be done.
  1. Fill in the blanks with suitable modals
  1. ______order a taxi for you?
  2. The car broke down and we ______have it towed to a garage.
  3. I'm sorry to ______tell you this but you leave me no alternative.
  4. The house had just been decorated so we ______do anything before moving in.
  5. I realize how difficult the situation is, but you ______Iet it get you down.
  6. You ______see a doctor if you're still feeling ill tomorrow.
  7. He talks about walking to the moon, he ______be crazy.
  8. You ______be my mother, she would never say such a thing in a million years.
  9. The main road was under repair but luckily we ______find an alternative route.
  10. We expect to ______move into our new house at the end of the month.
  11. His eyesight ______be poor. He wears glasses all the time.
  12. I'm not sure but you ______find him in his office during the week.
  13. You ______reveal my secrets to everyone, do you?
  14. Despite the heavy rain, the footballers ______play an excellent game.
  15. I ______stop for a while. My feet are killing me.
  16. According to the brochure, the facilities ______be superb but in fact they were dreadful.
  17. Whenever the dog wants to go out, I ______get up and open the door.
  18. When I am 18, I'll be of age. Then I ______Iive at home if I don't want to.
  19. Philip suggests that the money ______be raised by public subscription.
  20. A: Excuse me! I'm looking for the deputy manager.

B: Oh, I'm not sure, but he ______be upstairs in his office.

  1. A: Look at Susan over there! She's had her hair dyed.

B: She ______be Susan, she went to Canada last week and hasn't been back yet.

  1. When my grandfather was younger he ______go for fishing a lot but now he doesn't.
  2. There is a nice smell coming from the kitchen. Mom ______be cooking dinner.
  1. Complete the sentences with CAN, COULD, BE ABLE TO. (Attention to the tenses)
  1. I'm sorry, but we ______go to your party next Saturday.
  2. She got the job because she ______speak five languages.
  3. You are speaking very quietly. I ______hear you.
  4. I was tired but I ______leave until the meeting finished.
  5. He ______go to the concert next Saturday. He is working.
  6. She ______understand me in spite of the noise around.
  7. I'll ______see you tomorrow.
  8. When they came back from Paris, they ______speak perfect French.
  9. After a few hours, I ______open the door and go out.
  10. I've never ______understand maths.
  11. He ______repair the car but it took him a long time.
  12. We ______contact our agent in Athens a few minutes ago.
  13. After the accident, he somehow ______walk home.
  1. Rewrite these sentences using MAY, MIGHT or BE ALLOWED TO. (Affirmative or negative)
  1. Perhaps it will rain tomorrow (it has been raining all week)
  2. Perhaps my friend will visit me tomorrow (he is in town)
  3. Maybe he will find a new job (he isn't looking for it)
  4. I think the car is at the car park.
  5. I think the car is at the car park, but I'm not very sure.
  6. Visitors cannot stay in the hospital after 8 o'clock.
  7. Will you let the children go to the theatre tomorrow?
  8. Perhaps he'll go to the university (he is a very bad student)
  9. Perhaps he'll go to the university (he is an average student)
  1. Complete these sentences with MUST, MUSTN'T, NEEDN'T or HAVE TO.
  1. Why are you still waiting? You ______wait any more.
  2. Some years ago in Spain, men ______do military service.
  3. Sarah is a nurse, sometimes she ______work at weekends.
  4. Why does she want to decide now? She ______answer until tomorrow.
  5. I didn't have any money with me, so I ______borrow some.
  6. I eat too much chocolate, I really ______stop.
  7. They've been very rude, they ______apologize tomorrow.
  8. You ______borrow my books without asking.
  9. I'm sorry, you ______smoke here.
  10. You ______take that money, it isn't yours.
  11. He ______be inside that room, I've seen him come in!
  1. Rewrite these sentences using the modals or semi-modals in brackets.
  1. It is against the law to drive without a license. (mustn’t)
  2. Perhaps Sarah lends Simon some money. (may)
  3. It is sometimes very hot here in the summer. (can)
  4. Would you like me to bring you some magazines? (shall)
  5. It isn't necessary to be over 18 to get married. (needn’t)
  6. It is important for me to pass the exam. (must)
  7. It will not be necessary for you to come tomorrow. (have to)
  8. Perhaps it will rain tonight. (may)
  9. It is against the law to drive without a seat belt. (mustn’t)
  10. There's a small possibility that he comes on a motorbike. (might)